Footwear visual image cataloging and sizing

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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to the footwear manufacturing process including sales from a retail store, footwear design, last production, and finally the manufacturing of footwear. More particularly, it relates to an integrated computerized system for measuring and sizing feet and providing custom fit footwear for customers while maintaining optimized inventory of footwear for retail stores and manufacture of footwear. In addition, through statistical analysis of customer orders, it can be determined which footwear lasts are most likely to be required for producing footwear to fit a particular portion of the general population. This system thereby enables more accurate and efficient production of footwear and lasts for the general public consumption. Further, the present invention utilizes the foot sizing method and last production method disclosed in a co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 416,624, filed Oct. 3, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,169, issued on Jun. 23, 1992 hereinafter referred to as the TWAC measurement system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Throughout modern history, the footwear industry has been a highly specialized and competitive environment. Most footwear manufacturers have felt a need to be as efficient as possible while providing high quality footwear for the majority of consumers. In recent years, this desire for efficiency has been increased due to the rise in international trade and competition as well as increased consumer demand. Therefore, footwear manufacturers have found it necessary to adapt to the market conditions by providing as many styles and sizes of shoes as possible to the public to better serve the needs of the consumers. Until recently, computerized automation of the footwear industry has been relatively limited; however, with the advent of more sophisticated computing machines and software to drive the computing machines, it has become possible to integrate the entire process of manufacturing footwear. The present invention provides a solution to this need for improved productivity and efficiency by integrating the entire process of selling retail footwear. As will be discussed below, the present invention seeks to integrate the entire footwear sales process including, at least, improved measurement capabilities, matching the foot to particular footwear, and the footwear design process, the footwear manufacturing process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An integrated system is provided for footwear visual image cataloging and selection which includes a foot measuring device for electronically measuring a customer's foot, a data processing device for receiving foot measurement data, customer identification data and customer preference data, a storage device for storing a footwear catalog comprising footwear images and footwear related data, and a visual display for displaying images and data related to the measured foot, suggested footwear images and suggested footwear related data stored in the footwear catalog wherein the suggested footwear images and footwear related data are automatically selected by matching the customer preference data and foot measurement data to footwear related data in the footwear catalog. An integrated method is provided for footwear visual image cataloging and selection comprising the steps of measuring a customer's foot, inputting customer information and preference data, storing a footwear catalog comprised of images and data related to available footwear, automatically selecting suggested footwear for the customer and visually displaying images and data relating to the measured foot and suggested footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a generalized diagram of the present computerized system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the present electro-optical foot scanner system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed depiction of the elements of the preferred embodiment central computer.

FIG. 3A is a block di